The Rancher's Redemption

She put down her tea towel. “How do you know about that?”

“I drove them to Dr. Tio’s.” He shrugged. “I just happened to be passing Gabby’s when everything went down.”

“You did.” She was staring at him now. “But you never even talk to Lizzie.”

“I talk to her,” he protested. “I see her all the time in the café.”

“You order food. It’s not the same thing at all.”

“What did you expect me to do?” Adam demanded. “Drive past and ignore her?”

“No, of course not.” Daisy was still studying him way too intently. “What you did was awesome. Why don’t you call Lizzie and check on Roman yourself?”

Adam took a step back and almost tripped over the lowered dishwasher door. “I don’t have her number.”

“I’m sure I can find it for you,” Daisy said.

“Like she’ll want people bothering her when she’s got a sick kid.” Adam tried to sound like he didn’t care either way. He was annoyed with himself for even starting the stupid conversation. “I’ll see her in the café over the next few days.”

“If she comes back.”

Adam frowned. “Did Yvonne suggest otherwise?”

“See?” Daisy pointed at him. “You do care.”

“I—l—” Adam slammed the door of the dishwasher shut with unnecessary force. “Give it a rest, Daisy, okay?”

“Sure.” She paused to flick his ass with the tea towel. “Why don’t you have lunch with me tomorrow at Yvonne’s so you’ve got an excuse to check in?”

“Daisy . . .” Adam tried his best big brother voice, but apparently it no longer worked, as his sister winked at him and waltzed away.

Well, he’d walked right into that one by opening his big mouth and asking about Lizzie. Adam wiped down the countertop one final time and folded up the dishcloth. But he did feel invested in finding out what had happened to the kid—the kid who had no father—which was another mystery he’d often wondered about. The trouble was, he’d forfeited all rights to ask Lizzie anything even as a friend.

Maybe he would go into town tomorrow. He had to visit the feed store anyway....

* * *

Lizzie settled Roman at the table in the kitchen with a freshly made batch of play dough, food coloring, a carton of juice, and his favorite sandwich. It was a bright sunny afternoon and Yvonne had gone out with Rio to look at property while Lizzie managed the café.

“I’ll be out front if you need anything, Ro. Maria’s going to be here in a minute to play with you, okay?”

“Maria?” Roman looked thrilled. “My Maria?”

“Yes.”

Blue Morgan’s teenage daughter, Maria, was in town for the afternoon, and she loved keeping an eye on Roman. There were also two members of the kitchen staff still on duty who were happy to provide adult supervision. Yvonne was due back just before closing time and would help with the clear-up.

Lizzie put on her apron and went through to the front of the café where Angelo was already helping customers. Maria came through the front door with her grandma Ruth and waved at Lizzie.

“Hi! Where’s my little buddy?”

“He’s in the back.” Lizzie hugged Maria who was now taller than her grandmother. She had her father’s bright blue eyes and her deceased mother’s olive complexion and black hair. “Have fun and let me know if you have any problems.”

Ruth Morgan smiled at Lizzie. “Thank you for giving Maria something to do for an afternoon.”

“I would’ve thought there were plenty of jobs for her up at the ranch,” Lizzie said.

“Yes, there are, but apparently they are all ‘boring’.” Ruth rolled her eyes. “Although, she does babysit Chase William. She’s very good with him.”

“I’m delighted she’s happy to spend time with Roman.” Lizzie signed into the cash register. “Can I get you anything while you’re here?”

“A dozen cakes would be nice.” Ruth peered at the glass case. “Two of each, please. Then I don’t have to worry about baking a dessert for tonight.”